Coe-Brown's Hannah Parker, center, runs with Oyster River's Maegan Doody, right, during the New England cross country championship Saturday in Manchester. In the background is Coe-Brown's Elisabeth Danis. CBNA won the New England girls' title. (Whaley/Citizen photo)

MANCHESTER — Progression accomplished.

After finishing third in 2011 and second in 2012, the Coe-Brown Northwood Academy girls' cross-country team took the next logical step to win the New England championship Saturday at Derryfield Park in Manchester.

The Bears, who were second to Barrington, R.I., last year in Maine, scorched the course with four of their five scoring runners clocking times under 19 minutes. Coe-Brown had 78 points to win its first New England title over Barrington (99), nationally-ranked La Salle Academy, R.I. (108), Tolland, Conn. (120) and Glastonbury, Conn. (191).

“Oh my word, what a day,” said Coe-Brown co-coach Brent Tkaczyk. “Having the New Englands here on our home course was a huge advantage. We had a spaghetti dinner last night at my house and slept in our own beds. Everyone was healthy. It was a perfect storm for us.”

At the forefront of the Coe-Brown pack was junior Hannah Parker, who placed ninth in 18:16.1, the first New Hampshire runner. Also scoring for the Bears were Elisabeth Danis (15th, 18:21.8), Jessie Carney (24th, 18:35.3), Brooke Laskowsky (32nd, 18:51.5) and Meg Scannell (55th, 19:15.6).

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Whaley/Citizen photo
Coe-Brown's Jessie Carney, right, and Brooke Laskowsky run in the New England cross country championship Saturday in Manchester. Coe-Brown won the New England girls' title.

“It was so emotional,” Tkaczyk said. “(Co-coach) Tim (Cox) and I weren't the only ones crying. It's my happiest day coaching.”

Oyster River's Maegan Doody, who won the Meet of Champions title last weekend in Nashua, was 11th in 18:18.2.

“Hannah had a great day,” Tkaczyk. “She and Elisabeth ran so well up front. We had three girls on the podium in the top 25. For the New Englands, that's unheard of. It was really all about how well we ran.”

Meg Scannell, Coe-Brown's fifth runner, cramped up in the second mile, but was still able to finish with a solid time.

“She battled,” Tkaczyk said. “She still has to learn how to run cross country, but she did a nice job of battling through that.”

The girls' race was won in decisive fashion by Hannah Debalsi of Staples (Conn.) in 17:15.8. Placing second was Claire Howlett of Westhill, Conn., in 17:39.5. The other local runner was Maddy Doyle of Marshwood High School (Maine), who was 73rd in 19:34.8.

On the boys' side, Trevor Hopper of Ridgefield, Conn., won the race in 15:08.5. The team title was coveted by La Salle Academy with 99, just ahead of Ridgefield (102).

Three local teams completed, led by Oyster River in 13th (374) — the highest N.H. placing team; Coe-Brown was 15th (380) and Portsmouth was 23rd (561).

There a total of 60 teams on hand: 30 boys 'and 30 girls' squads.

Coe-Brown's Jeremy Brassard was the top N.H. runner in 10th with a time of 15:48.1.

“They absolutely just took it,” Tkaczyk said. “The didn't get intimidated this year. In the past, they did, but not this year. It was an all-around amazing day. 'They just won New Englands.' We keep saying that.”

Coe-Brown, which also won Meet of Champions and D-II titles this fall, and is ranked third in the Northeast Region, will run Nov. 30 at the Nike Cross Northeast Regional in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. Last year they were fourth.